Receiver/drier for a refrigerant fluid circuit equipping a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a receiver/drier (6) adapted to have pass through it a refrigerant fluid (FR) of a refrigerant fluid (FR) circuit (1) for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The receiver/drier (6) comprises a closed housing (10) provided with a fluid inlet (14) for admission of the refrigerant fluid (FR) to the interior of the housing (10) and with a fluid outlet (15) for evacuation of the refrigerant fluid (FR) from the housing (10). The housing (10) accommodates at least one desiccant (16) and at least one particle filter (17a, 17b, 17c). The receiver/drier (6) is provided with a phase separation device (18) between a liquid phase and a gas phase of the refrigerant fluid (FR) admitted to the interior of the housing (10).

The field of the present invention is that of air conditioninginstallations equipping vehicles, in particular motor vehicles. Theinvention more specifically concerns refrigerant fluid receiver/driersequipping a refrigerant fluid circuit that cooperates with an airconditioning installation of this kind.

Vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, are routinely equipped with aventilation, heating and/or climate control installation, also called anair conditioning installation. An air conditioning installation of thiskind is in particular dedicated to enhancing the comfort of thepassenger compartment of the vehicle. The air conditioning installationcooperates with a closed circuit through which circulates a refrigerantfluid used by a heat exchanger that the air conditioning installationcomprises for thermally treating air sent into the passengercompartment.

Successively in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluidthrough it, the refrigerant fluid circuit essentially comprises acompressor, a condenser, an expansion member and an evaporator. Therefrigerant fluid in the gas phase is compressed by the compressor,transformed into the liquid phase in the condenser, expanded at lowpressures by the expansion member and then transformed into the gasphase in the evaporator and routed again to the compressor.

In this context, the refrigerant fluid circuit comprises a refrigerantfluid receiver/drier disposed between the condenser and the expansionmember. The receiver/drier provides a reserve of refrigerant fluidguaranteeing stable operation of the refrigerant fluid circuit overtime. The receiver/drier also houses a particle filter to retain anyparticles captured by the refrigerant fluid during its circulationthrough the refrigerant fluid circuit. The receiver/drier further housesa material that absorbs moisture contained in the refrigerant fluid,hereinafter designated the desiccant.

The receiver/drier essentially comprises a closed housing accommodatingthe particle filter and the desiccant. The housing is provided with afluid inlet for admitting the refrigerant fluid to the interior of thehousing and a fluid outlet for evacuating the refrigerant fluid from thehousing after it has passed through the desiccant and the particlefilter.

However, the refrigerant fluid is potentially admitted into theexpansion member in a diphasic state between a majority liquid phase anda minority gas phase.

The object of the present invention is to improve the admission of therefrigerant fluid in the liquid phase into the expansion member. It moreparticularly aims to obtain admission of the refrigerant fluid into theexpansion member totally in the liquid phase.

To this end, the invention consists in a refrigerant fluidreceiver/drier that is configured to be placed in a refrigerant fluidcircuit and cooperates with an air conditioning installation of avehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. A receiver/drier of this kind isin particular intended to be disposed between a condenser and anexpansion member that the refrigerant fluid circuit comprises.

The receiver/drier of the invention is more particularly adapted to havepassed through it a refrigerant fluid of a refrigerant fluid circuit fora vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The receiver/drier comprises aclosed housing provided with a fluid inlet for the admission of therefrigerant fluid to the interior of the housing and a fluid outlet forthe evacuation of the refrigerant fluid from the housing. The housinghouses at least one desiccant and at least one particle filter.

In this context, the receiver/drier of the invention is principallyrecognizable in that it is provided with a device for separating therefrigerant fluid admitted to the interior of the housing between aliquid phase and a gas phase.

Thus according to the invention the receiver/drier is used to house adevice for separation of phases of a fluid that is specificallydedicated and adapted to cause a separation of phases of the refrigerantfluid between its liquid phase and its gas phase. The refrigerant fluidevacuated out of the receiver/drier is then totally in the liquid phasefor its admission into an expansion member.

The receiver/drier is in particular and more particularly configured tobe disposed between a condenser and the refrigerant fluid expansionmember that the refrigerant fluid circuit comprises, to feed theexpansion member with refrigerant fluid in the liquid phase free ofmoisture. However, a gas phase of the refrigerant fluid may persistdespite its cooling in the condenser and be routed to thereceiver/drier.

The phase separation device then enables an obstacle to be providedagainst evacuation out of the receiver/drier to the expansion member ofa gas phase of the refrigerant fluid admitted into the receiver/drier.

In other words, the phase separation device guarantees evacuation of therefrigerant fluid out of the receiver/drier totally in the liquid phase,prior to its admission into the expansion member, even in the case ofthermal conditions at the limit for the condensation of the refrigerantfluid.

The phase separation device is advantageously arranged as at least oneramp for centrifugal circulation of the refrigerant fluid inside thehousing.

The ramp is configured to guide the refrigerant fluid and to increasethe path that it follows inside the housing, by causing acceleration bycentrifugal force of the flow of the refrigerant fluid in the liquidphase inside the housing. The effect of this is to guarantee betterseparation between the liquid phase and the gas phase of the refrigerantfluid, and finally evacuation of the refrigerant fluid from thereceiver/drier totally in the liquid state.

The phase separation device is preferably disposed in the housingbetween the fluid inlet and the desiccant. The phase separation deviceis more specifically disposed in the housing between on the one hand thefluid inlet and on the other hand the desiccant and the particle filter.

According to the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluidinside the receiver/drier, the desiccant and/or the particle filter aredisposed inside the housing downstream of the phase separation deviceand upstream of a fluid tank. A fluid tank of this kind is in particulardedicated to storing a quantity of refrigerant fluid inside the housingafter its passage through the phase separation device.

The desiccant is for example packaged in a cartridge housed inside thehousing, in particular upstream of the fluid tank in the direction ofcirculation of the refrigerant fluid inside the receiver/drier. Thecartridge may be equipped with at least one particle filter. At leastone particle filter may also be provided downstream of the fluid tank inthe direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid inside thereceiver/drier. For example, the particle filter may be provided on adip tube connecting the refrigerant fluid tank to the fluid outlet.

According to one embodiment, the phase separation device is configuredas at least one helix with multiple turns. Each of the turns producessuccessively along the axis of the helix a ramp for centrifugalcirculation of the refrigerant fluid inside the housing. The refrigerantfluid in the liquid phase is therefore driven successively by each ofthe turns of the helix from the fluid inlet to the fluid reserve via atleast the desiccant and even also the particle filter.

The axis of the helix is preferably centred on a longitudinal axis ofthe housing extending between a first end of the housing provided withthe fluid inlet and a bottom of the receiver/drier delimiting a fluidreserve for the storage of a quantity of refrigerant fluid inside thehousing.

The first end of the housing and the bottom of the receiver/drier are inparticular opposite longitudinal ends of the receiver/drier along thelongitudinal axis of the housing. In this context, in the operatingstate of the receiver/drier, the longitudinal axis of the housing, andtherefore the axis of the helix, are oriented in the direction of thegravity axis, the first end of the housing then overlying the bottom ofthe receiver/drier and therefore the tank for storing refrigerant fluidinside the housing.

According to one embodiment, the helix is formed by a body attached tothe interior of the housing.

The body preferably includes, along the axis of the helix, a channel fordraining the refrigerant fluid in the liquid state to the bottom of thereceiver/drier.

The liquid phase of the refrigerant fluid can thus be driven toward thedrainage channel successively by each of the turns of the helixcomposing its wall. The drainage channel can define only one or of aplurality of passes of the refrigerant fluid through the body.

According to one embodiment, the body is advantageously formed byrolling and drawing a metal sheet to confer on it its helixconfiguration. The body can therefore be obtained at lower cost andeasily installed inside the housing, in particular by threading the bodyinto the interior of the housing from one of its longitudinal ends.

According to a variant, the body can be machined at its periphery toform the helix and to form the drainage channel in a central zone of thebody extending along the axis of the helix.

The body is preferably pressed against the interior face of the wall ofthe housing extending between its longitudinal ends. The wall of thehousing then forms a member for confinement of the refrigerant fluidflowing along the turns of the helix and then forcing its evacuation tothe drainage channel.

According to one embodiment, the helix is formed in the wall of thehousing.

The helix is for example formed by machining the internal face of thewall of the housing. The turns composing the helix preferably dischargeinto a central opening of the housing that extends between the inletmouth and at least the desiccant and/or the particle filter, orpreferably even as far as the fluid reserve.

The empty space of the housing then advantageously forms a chamber fordraining the refrigerant fluid in the liquid phase to the fluid reservevia the desiccant and/or the particle filter. The empty space preferablyalso forms a space for receiving the desiccant and/or the particlefilter that extends toward the fluid reserve in line with the drainagechamber.

According to one embodiment, at least one cap of the housing is providedwith the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet.

For example, a first cap provided at least with the fluid inlet is a capfor closing said first end of the housing. A second cap providing thefluid reserve forms the bottom of the receiver/drier by closing a secondend of the housing longitudinally opposite its first end.

The second cap can be provided with the fluid outlet. In this case, atleast one particle filter is disposed between the phase separationdevice and the fluid reserve. Two particle filters are preferablydisposed on respective opposite sides of the desiccant along thelongitudinal axis of the housing.

According to a variant, the first cap is also provided with the fluidoutlet, which is connected to a first end of a dip tube the second endof which discharges into the fluid reserve provided by the second cap.

In this case, the dip tube can be equipped with the particle filter,which is in particular attached to and/or integral with the second endof the dip tube.

According to one embodiment, the at least one cap is removably mountedon the housing, preferably with a seal, to allow access to the interiorof the housing. Access to the interior volume of the housing is inparticular provided to enable maintenance of the receiver/drier. Onesuch maintenance operation is in particular an operation to replace thedesiccant when it is saturated with moisture and/or an operation toclean and/or replace the particle filter.

According to a variant, the receiver/drier is preferably a consumableproduct replaced in the event of a malfunction by anotherreceiver/drier, such as in particular in the event of saturation of thedesiccant with moisture and/or at the end of a predefined service lifeof the receiver/drier.

For example, the housing is sealed by being formed of a peripheral walloriented along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The outlets to theexterior of the peripheral wall are then closed by the caps, at leastone of which is sealed to and/or integral with the housing.

The peripheral wall of the housing is for example formed by rolling ametal sheet and by welding its edges along the longitudinal axis of thehousing. Again, for example, the peripheral wall of the housing isformed by extrusion. Again, for example, the peripheral wall of thehousing is formed by drawing a metal sheet along the longitudinal axisof the housing, either of the caps then being integrated with theperipheral wall of the housing by the shaping of the sheet.

The caps can be made of plastic material and/or metal. The caps can bemanufactured by moulding and/or by machining.

The invention moreover covers a heat exchanger for a refrigerant fluidcircuit, recognizable in that it comprises a receiver/drier as describedin the present document. A heat exchanger of this kind can be used as acondenser in a refrigerant fluid circuit.

According to one embodiment of the heat exchanger, the receiver/drier isintegral with the condenser between two passes of the refrigerant fluidthrough the condenser. In this case the condenser more particularlyincludes a path for circulation of the refrigerant fluid through itsubdivided into at least two passes between which is disposed acirculation path specific to the receiver/drier. The refrigerant fluidadmitted in the gas phase to the interior of the condenser circulates ina first pass to cool it, which causes a partial change of phase of therefrigerant fluid to its liquid phase.

The refrigerant fluid then circulates inside the receiver/drier prior toits second pass through the condenser, the effect of which is to directthe refrigerant fluid strictly in the liquid phase to the second pass.The second pass of the refrigerant fluid then enables completion of thecooling of the refrigerant fluid, at this time only in the liquid phase,prior to its admission to the expansion member.

This improves the performance of the condenser because of the cooling ofthe refrigerant fluid inside the condenser in two stages and because ofits admission into the second pass in the strictly liquid state.

The invention also consists in a refrigerant fluid circuit of a vehicle,in particular a motor vehicle. The refrigerant fluid circuit of theinvention is principally recognizable in that it comprises areceiver/drier according to the invention disposed between a condenserand an expansion member that the refrigerant fluid circuit comprises.

According to one embodiment, the receiver/drier is installed on aconduit of the refrigerant fluid circuit connecting an opening forevacuation of the refrigerant fluid from the condenser and a mouth foradmission of the refrigerant fluid into the expansion member.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will emerge moreclearly on reading the description given hereinafter by way ofillustrative example with reference to the figures of the appendeddrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a refrigerant fluid circuit illustrating thecontext of the invention,

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are perspective views of a receiver/drier inaccordance with a first embodiment of the invention, respectively in anexploded view and when assembled,

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are views in axial section of a receiver/drier inaccordance with a second embodiment of the invention, respectively in anexploded view and when assembled.

It must first be noted that the figures disclose the invention in detailfor the purposes of execution of the invention. Said figures and theirdetailed descriptions can of course if necessary serve to define theinvention better.

In FIG. 1, a refrigerant fluid FR circuit 1 is configured to equip avehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The circuit 1 is a closedcircuit in which the refrigerant fluid FR circulates and is subjected tosuccessive changes of phase between a gas phase and a liquid phase whenit travels around the circuit 1. A circuit 1 of this kind is inparticular used for an air conditioning installation dedicated toimproving the comfort of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

In the embodiment shown, the circuit 1 essentially comprises,successively in the direction S1 of circulation of the refrigerant fluidFR around the circuit 1, a compressor 2, a condenser 3 or gas cooler, anexpansion member 4, in particular a thermostatic expansion valve, and atleast one heat exchanger 5.

The heat exchanger 5 is in particular an equipment unit of the airconditioning installation configured as a heat exchanger and/or anevaporator. The heat exchanger 5 is dedicated to the heat treatment of aflow of air through it, before the flow of air is sent to the passengercompartment of the vehicle by the air conditioning installation.

A receiver/drier 6 of the refrigerant fluid FR is placed on the circuit1 between the condenser 3 and the expansion member 4. The receiver/drier6 provides a reserve of refrigerant fluid FR and desiccation and/orfiltering of the refrigerant fluid FR circulating inside the circuit 1.

In the example shown, the receiver/drier 6 is integrated into thecondenser 3 and disposed between two passes Pa1, Pa2 of the refrigerantfluid FR inside the condenser 3.

A first pass Pal cools the refrigerant fluid FR before it is admitted tothe interior of the receiver/drier 6. The refrigerant fluid FR thenflows inside the dehydrating cylinder 6 and is then evacuated to thesecond pass Pa2. The refrigerant fluid FR is then cooled again as itcirculates through the second pass Pa2, and is then sent to expansionmember 4.

According to a variant, the receiver/drier 6 can also be placed on apipe 7 of the circuit 1 connecting an opening 8 for evacuation of therefrigerant fluid FR out of the condenser 3 and an opening 9 foradmission of the refrigerant fluid FR into the expansion member 4.

The example of a minimal architecture of the circuit 1 shown in FIG. 1is given by way of illustration and is not restricting on the scope ofthe invention, given the various potential architectures of the circuit1.

In FIGS. 2 to 4, a receiver/drier 6 according to the invention comprisesa housing 10 extending along a longitudinal axis A1. The housing 10 inparticular comprises a circular wall 11 around the longitudinal axis A1.The longitudinal ends 10 a, 10 b of the housing 10 are open to theexterior of the housing 10 and are closed by caps 12 a, 12 b that areattached to and/or integral with the housing 10, for example bycementing them together.

In the situation in particular where the caps are removably attached tothe housing, at least one seal 13 a, 13 b preferably surroundsconjointly the wall 11 of the housing 10 and at least one of the caps 12a, 12 b where they are cemented together, as shown for example in FIGS.3 and 4.

At least one of the caps 12 a, 12 b is provided with a fluid inlet 14for the admission of the refrigerant fluid FR to the interior of thehousing 10 and/or a fluid outlet 15 for the evacuation of therefrigerant fluid FR from the housing 10.

The housing 10 houses a cartridge 16 of desiccant, in other words adesiccating material having the property of absorbing moisture, and atleast one particle filter 17 a, 17 b, 17 c. The desiccant 16 makes itpossible to capture moisture and the particle filter or filters 17 a, 17b, 17 c make(s) it possible to retain the impurities that therefrigerant fluid FR is liable to contain following its circulationthrough the circuit 1.

The refrigerant fluid FR admitted to the interior of the housing 10following its at least partial passage through the condenser 3 is in thediphasic state between a mainly liquid phase and a gas phase.

In this context, the receiver/drier 6 is equipped with a phaseseparation device 18 between a liquid phase and a gas phase of therefrigerant fluid FR, resulting in evacuation of the refrigerant fluidFR from the housing 10 totally in the liquid phase.

In the embodiments shown, the phase separation device 18 moreparticularly forms at least one ramp 19 for centrifugal circulation ofthe refrigerant fluid FR inside the housing 10, from the fluid inlet 14to a bottom 20 of the receiver/drier 6. The ramp or ramps 19 inparticular extend(s) in the direction of the bottom 20 of thereceiver/drier 6 around a longitudinal axis A1 with an inclinationrelative to the longitudinal axis A1. A single continuous ramp 19 can beformed in the phase separation device 18.

The ramp 19 delimits inside the housing 10 a guide channel 21 for therefrigerant fluid FR, forming a spiral for driving the refrigerant fluidFR by centrifugal force from the fluid inlet 14 to the bottom 20 of thereceiver/drier 6.

The fluid inlet 14 is in particular provided via a first cap 12 adisposed vertically in line with the bottom 20 of the receiver/drier 6in the operating state of the receiver/drier 6 as shown in the figures.

The concept of vertical alignment is therefore relative to the operatingstate of the receiver/drier 6, in which the longitudinal axis A1 isoriented along the gravity axis so that the refrigerant fluid FR flowsalong the phase separation device 18 vertically in line with a fluidreserve 22 dedicated to the storage of a quantity of refrigerant fluidFR inside the receiver/drier 6. The bottom 20 of the receiver/drier 6 isprovided by a second cap 12 b for closing the housing 10 that delimitsat least partially the fluid reserve 22.

In the embodiments shown, the ramp 19 is formed by the turns of a helix23 arranged inside the housing 10. The helix 23 and the housing 10 arecoaxial, the axis A2 of the helix 23 and the longitudinal axis A1preferably coinciding. The channel 21 is delimited between the turns ofthe helix 23 and the interior face 24 of the wall 11 of the housing 10.

The ramp or ramps 19 formed by the turns of the helix 23 preferablyextend(s) between the fluid inlet 14 and the desiccant cartridge 16and/or also preferably the particle filter or filters 17 a, 17 b, 17 cin the direction S2 of circulation of the refrigerant fluid FR insidethe housing 10.

An axial median opening 25 a, 25 b through the helix 23 enables drainingof the refrigerant fluid FR in the liquid phase, which circulatessuccessively inside the channel 21 toward the bottom 20 of thereceiver/drier 6, and to be more specific toward the desiccant cartridge16. There is therefore obtained inside the housing 10 a separation ofphases of the refrigerant fluid FR between its liquid phase and its gasphase, before its evacuation from the housing 10 via the fluid outlet15.

In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 10 is formed bydrawing a metal sheet along the longitudinal axis A1, the first cap 12 abeing integral with the housing 10 by being produced from the metalsheet during the drawing operation. The second cap 12 b is cemented tothe housing 10 by and provided with the fluid outlet 15, the first cap12 a being provided with the fluid inlet 14.

The housing 10 houses the desiccant cartridge 16 and the two particlefilters 17 a, 17 b, which are disk shaped. The particle filters 17 a, 17b are disposed on either side of the desiccant cartridge 16 along thelongitudinal axis A1. The particle filters 17 a, 17 b are potentiallyhoused inside the desiccant cartridge 16.

The phase separation device 18 is formed of a body 26 produced from arolled and drawn metal sheet conferring on it its helix 23configuration. The body 26 is attached to the interior of the housing 10by being fixed, for example cemented, in position on its wall 11 betweenthe first cap 12 a and the desiccant cartridge 16.

The turns of the helix 23 are configured as funnels encouraging the flowof the refrigerant fluid FR in the liquid phase toward the openingreferred to above, the latter here taking the form of a drainage channel25 a for the refrigerant fluid FR, into which each of the turns of thehelix 23 discharges. The drainage channel 25 a is formed in the axialzone of the body 26 and extends along the longitudinal axis A1.

In the example shown, the fluid inlet 14 is provided by a fluid inlettube 14 a passing through the wall 11 of the housing 10 with anorientation T1 transverse to its longitudinal axis A1. As can be seen inFIG. 3, the wall of the inlet tube 14 a includes an opening 14 bdisposed near the wall 11 of the housing, which produces a fluid passageoriented along the longitudinal axis A1 to guide the refrigerant fluidFR to the helix 23. The second cap 12 b includes an orifice 27 foradmission of the refrigerant fluid FR to the fluid reserve 22 delimitedby the second cap 17 b, which in the embodiment shown includes the fluidoutlet 15 oriented along the longitudinal axis A1.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant fluid FR is admitted to theinterior of the housing 10 via the inlet tube 14 a transversely to thelongitudinal axis A1, and is then guided by the inlet tube 14 a towardthe opening 14 b and therefore toward the helix 23. The refrigerantfluid FR then circulates along the helix 23 and is progressivelydirected in the liquid phase toward the drainage channel 25 a, whichdischarges vertically in line with the desiccant cartridge 16.

The refrigerant fluid FR then passes through the desiccant cartridge 16and the particle filters 17 a, 17 b, is then admitted into the fluidreserve 22 via the admission orifice 27 and is then evacuated from thehousing 10 through the fluid outlet 15.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the wall 11 of the housing 10is formed for example by moulding or by rolling a metal sheet andclosing it on itself by welding together its longitudinal edges. Each ofthe caps 12 a, 12 b is formed of attached elements that are fixed to thehousing, at least one of the gaps 12 a, 12 b being cemented to thehousing 10 and/or removably attached to the housing 10.

The fluid inlet 14 is produced through the first cap 12 a, for examplebeing formed by drilling the first cap 12 a. The fluid inlet 14 includesa first section 14 c oriented along the longitudinal axis A1, the firstsection 14 c being extended by a second section 14 d that extends withan orientation T1 transverse to the longitudinal axis A1 and dischargestoward the helix 23.

The fluid outlet 15 is produced through the first cap 12 a and orientedalong the longitudinal axis A1. The fluid outlet 15 is connected to thefluid reserve 23 by a dip tube 28 that is preferably provided with aparticle filter 17 c.

The base separation device 18 is integral with the wall 11 of thehousing 10, the helix 23 being formed in the material of the wall 11 ofthe housing 10. The helix 23 can be formed during the moulding of thehousing 10 and/or by machining the wall 11 of the housing 10. Each ofthe channels 21 formed by the turns of the helix 23 then discharges intothe opening of the housing 10 referred to above, which here produces achamber 25 b for draining the liquid phase refrigerant fluid FR to thefluid reserve 22.

Downstream of the drainage chamber 25 b in the direction S2 ofcirculation of the refrigerant fluid FR inside the housing 10, the axialopening of the housing 10 produces a space 25 c to receive the desiccantcartridge 16 and extends the drainage chamber 25 b toward the fluidreserve 22.

Thus as shown in FIG. 5, the refrigerant fluid FR is admitted to theinterior of the housing 10 along the longitudinal axis A1 via the firstsection 14 c of the fluid inlet 14, and is then directed transverselytoward the helix 23. The refrigerant fluid FR then circulates along thehelix 23, being progressively directed in the liquid phase toward thedrainage chamber 25 b which conveys the refrigerant fluid FR to thedesiccant cartridge 16. The refrigerant fluid FR then passes through thedesiccant cartridge 16, is then admitted into the fluid reserve 22, andis then evacuated from the housing 10 via the dip tube 28.

It is to be noted in the various examples shown that the fluid inlet 14and/or the fluid outlet 15 can be individually oriented essentiallyalong the longitudinal axis A1 and/or transversely T1 to thelongitudinal axis A1. In one example, the inlet tube 14 a can bepositioned tangentially to the interior phase 24 of the wall 11 of thehousing 10. A disposition of this kind makes it possible to encouragethe commencement of centrifugal circulation of the refrigerant fluid onentering the ramp. Generally speaking, the fluid inlet 14 and the fluidoutlet 15 can be oriented in any direction relative to the longitudinalaxis Al discharging toward the helix 23.

Thus the ways of connecting the receiver/drier 6 to the circuit 1 and/orto the condenser 3 can be organized freely, without affecting theseparation of phases of the refrigerant fluid FR between its liquidphase and its gas phase produced by the phase separation device 18, andtherefore without affecting the obtaining of evacuation from thereceiver/drier 6 of the refrigerant fluid FR completely in the liquidphase.

1. A receiver/drier adapted to have pass through it a refrigerant fluidof a refrigerant fluid circuit for a motor vehicle, the receiver/driercomprising: a closed housing provided with a fluid inlet for admissionof the refrigerant fluid to an interior of the housing and with a fluidoutlet for evacuation of the refrigerant fluid from the housing, thehousing accommodating at least one desiccant and at least one particlefilter; and a phase separation device between a liquid phase and a gasphase of the refrigerant fluid admitted to the interior of the housing.2. The receiver/drier according to claim 1, in which the phaseseparation device is arranged as at least one ramp for centrifugalcirculation of the refrigerant fluid inside the housing.
 3. Thereceiver/drier according to claim 1, in which the phase separationdevice is provided in the housing between the fluid inlet and thedesiccant.
 4. The receiver/drier according to claim 2, in which thephase separation device is configured as at least one helix withmultiple turns, each of the turns producing successively along the axisof the helix a ramp for centrifugal circulation of the refrigerant fluidinside the housing.
 5. The receiver/drier according to claim 4, in whichthe axis of the helix is centred on a longitudinal axis along which thehousing extends between a first end of the housing provided with thefluid inlet and a bottom of the receiver/drier delimiting a fluidreserve for the storage of a quantity of refrigerant fluid (FR) insidethe housing.
 6. The receiver/drier according to claim 4, in which thehelix is formed by a body attached to the interior of the housing. 7.The receiver/drier according to claim 6, in which the body includes,along the axis of the helix, a drainage channel for the refrigerantfluid in the liquid state leading to the bottom of the receiver/drier.8. The receiver/drier according to claim 4, in which the helix isproduced in the wall of the housing.
 9. The receiver/drier according toclaim 1, in which at least one cap for closing the housing is providedwith the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet.
 10. A heat exchanger for arefrigerant fluid circuit, comprising: a receiver/drier through which arefrigerant fluid of the refrigerant fluid circuit passes, thereceiver/drier comprising: a closed housing provided with a fluid inletfor admission of the refrigerant fluid to an interior of the housing andwith a fluid outlet for evacuation of the refrigerant fluid from thehousing, the housing accommodating at least one desiccant and at leastone particle filter; and a phase separation device between a liquidphase and a gas phase of the refrigerant fluid admitted to the interiorof the housing.
 11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10 used as acondenser of a refrigerant fluid (FR) circuit.
 12. A refrigerant fluidcircuit of a vehicle, comprising: a receiver/drier between a condenserand an expansion member that the refrigerant fluid circuit comprises,the receiver/driver comprising: a closed housing provided with a fluidinlet for admission of the refrigerant fluid to an interior of thehousing and with a fluid outlet for evacuation of the refrigerant fluidfrom the housing, the housing accommodating at least one desiccant andat least one particle filter; and a phase separation device between aliquid phase and a gas phase of the refrigerant fluid admitted to theinterior of the housing.